Ireland’s oldest man dies aged 108

He kept up cycling until he was 105.

Martin McEvilly from Rosscahill in Galway was born on 26 July 1916, three months after the Easter Rising took place.

Tá an fear is sine in Éirinn, Martin McEvilly as Ros Cathail, i gContae na Gaillimhe, ag súil go dtabharfaidh Gaillimh na cosa leo inniu.

Bhí Martin 108 bliain d'aois an tseachtain seo. pic.twitter.com/8j0KXFmwxs

— Nuacht TG4 (@NuachtTG4) July 28, 2024

The youngest of eleven siblings, he lived through two World Wars, the establishment of the Irish Free State and the Great Depression.

He died last Wednesday, surrounded by his loving family.

Mr McEvilly was predeceased by his wife Kathleen, who died in 2021 - the year in which the couple celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary.

He is survived by his by his three sons and four daughters, as well as all of his grandchildren ands great-grandchildren.

In an interview with the Irish Mirror earlier this year, Mr McEvilly revealed the three secrets to his longevity.

He refrained from eating after 7pm, limited his drinking of Guinness to three glasses on a Sunday evening, and kept active by cycling until he was 105.